Masonry contractor in Laredo, TX - brick, block and stone that holds up
Anchorstone Laredo Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Laredo, TX. We repoint and repair brick, build block and brick walls, lay pavers and set stone for homes across the city and the cities around it.
Masonry work on Laredo homes
In Laredo we split our time between older brick houses and newer ones. The older homes, especially closer to downtown, tend to need joints repointed, cracked brick replaced and chimneys rebuilt, while the newer neighborhoods call us for block fences, paver driveways, stone fronts and outdoor kitchens. Downtown, the San Agustín de Laredo Historic District along Zaragoza Street shows how long brick and stone can last when someone looks after them, and that's the bar I hold our repairs to.
On an older house the job is mostly about matching what's already there, and on a newer lot it's about the footing and base under the new work. Price and schedule move with how much has to come out, what we're matching and whether a city permit comes first, and you'll get your own figure at the estimate.
What we build and repair in Laredo
Stair-step cracks in a brick wall or a door that sticks can point to the foundation, so we check the masonry around it before we patch anything.
On older Laredo houses with a brick chimney, we usually find a cracked crown, the concrete cap up top, and open joints. We rebuild what's failing.
We rake out joints, fill them with mortar matched to the brick and run a thin contrasting line along them, so an older Laredo brick front looks crisp.
On a Laredo brick house, a cracked or flaking brick can be cut out and replaced by itself, and we hunt for a match so it doesn't show.
We lay paver driveways for Laredo homes on a packed base, which decides how they last, and a cracked paver later lifts out on its own.
Where a Laredo yard drops to a drive or the next lot, we build retaining walls with drainage behind them so water can't build up and push them over.
For older Laredo brick and stone houses that need more than one fix, we plan the repairs together so the cleaning, pointing and brick work all match.
We build masonry fireplaces in Laredo homes, inside or out on the patio, and work out the hearth, firebox and chimney before the first brick goes down.
On newer Laredo houses, stone veneer, a thin layer of real or cast stone, dresses up a plain front, and we set the drainage behind it first.
Block walls make a solid, private fence for a Laredo lot. We set them on a footing with steel and grout where the wall needs it.
For Laredo home additions, we lay the block foundation walls the new rooms sit on, level and square, because everything built above follows them.
We build grill islands, counters and bar tops for Laredo backyards in block, brick or stone, leaving openings for the wiring your electrician runs.
On a Laredo home the walk from the drive to the door gets used every day, so we lay brick, stone or pavers on a packed base.
We build new brick garden walls and screens that look like they came with the house, which on an older Laredo home means matching brick and joint color.
Stone walls, columns and steps in Laredo yards go up one stone at a time, and we pick and shape each piece so the joints stay tight.
When mortar is crumbling but the brick is sound, pointing is usually all a Laredo wall needs. We rake out the bad joints and refill them to match.
What Laredo houses ask of a mason
I come out to look at your job myself and I'm on site while our crew works, so the person who looked at your house is the one watching the work.
Mortar that matches
We match new mortar to your old brick's color and hardness, so a repair on an older Laredo house blends in.
Only the work it needs
If a wall needs a few joints pointed and not a rebuild, I'll tell you that at the estimate.
The reasons before we start
You'll hear what we're doing and why before any old mortar comes out, including what we can't see yet.
We pull the permit
When your job needs a city permit, we pull it ourselves as your contractor and keep it posted at the job.
Licensed, insured, guaranteed
We're licensed and insured, and the work our crew does on your house is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Questions about masonry in Laredo
Do I need a city permit to build a block wall in Laredo?
Yes, plan on one, because block fences are on the list of residential projects the city's Building Development Services issues permits for, along with home additions and remodels. The city also says building work should follow the codes it lists, which include the International Residential Code. For repair work like repointing, that list doesn't settle it, so we check with Building Development Services before we start.
Who pulls the permit for a masonry project in Laredo, me or the contractor?
The contractor you hire usually pulls it, and if you pull it yourself, the city treats you as the contractor for the project. That's why we pull ours as your contractor, and keeping it posted at the job lets the city's inspector find your house and heads off a code enforcement citation for unpermitted work.
How do I check that a masonry contractor can work in Laredo?
Ask whether they're registered with Building Development Services, because the city requires anyone who wants to do work in Laredo to register there. For a general contractor, registering takes a $60 fee and a driver's license or other valid ID, so it's a fair question to ask anyone who gives you a bid.
How do I get lights and outlets in my outdoor kitchen in Laredo?
Hire a licensed electrician for that part, because Texas requires anyone doing electrical work to be licensed, and in Laredo the electrical permit is pulled by a licensed contractor in that field. We build the masonry and leave openings where the electrician needs them, and the city inspects the electrical work as the local inspecting authority.
What drives the cost of masonry work in Laredo?
Mostly the size of the job and how much old brick, block or mortar has to come out before we can build or repair. Brick and stone matched to an older house take more finding than standard block, a backyard with tight access adds labor, and a job that needs a city permit adds that step. I'll give you a figure for your own job at the estimate.
What causes mortar to crumble between the bricks on a Laredo house?
Usually age and water, since mortar is meant to wear before the brick does, and joints that stay wet break down faster. Older patches done with mortar harder than the brick can also make the brick around them crack or flake. We can't always tell how deep it goes until the old mortar is out, so I'll tell you what we find as we go.
Not in Laredo? Call us anyway
We're based in Laredo and also work in the cities around it. If your city isn't listed here, call (956) 508-9135 and ask.
- No other service areas are listed at the moment.
Plan your Laredo masonry project with us
Call (956) 508-9135 or use the form to set up your estimate, any day of the week until 11 PM.